Liquid soap dispenser



1952 w. J. DOBKIN LIQUID SOAP DISPENSER Filed July 6, 1946 mm NR mw NM k mm Q Nu INVENT ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 29, 1952 LIQUID SOAP DISPENSER William J Dobkin, Jackson Heights, N. Y., as-

signor to Mac. B. Feinson, New York, N. Y.

Application July 6, 1946, Serial No. 681,691

This invention relates to a machine for dispensing liquid soap. It is an object of this invention to provide a' soap dispensing mechanism which will effectively deliver liquid soap in the form of a soft lather, without danger of leaking or clogging.

It is a further object to provide a device of the character described in which all of the operating parts may be easily disassembled and cleaned, and which may be easily reassembled in operating condition with simple tools. and yet in which the parts will be held firmly in operative position when so assembled.

It is a further object to provide a lather forming dispenser having means for pumping liquid soap and means for pumping air for mixture with the soap, in which the pumping mechanisms are connected to be operated by movement of a single plunger, but in which it is not necessary to maintain the pumping mechanisms in exact alignment or exact relation, so that larger tolerances in construction may be permitted without danger of the parts binding, and without impairing the perfection of the operation, thus reducing the cost of manufacture.

This invention is particularly intended for use in connection with the invention of my co-pending application Serial Number 681,692 filed of even date herewith, but its general structure is capable of wide application, as will be clear from the description.

The invention accordingly comprises a device possessing the features, properties and the relation of elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevation, partly in section, of a dispenser such as is disclosed in my co-pending application, embodying the invention of this application. Figure 1A is a detail.

Figure 2 is a central section through the pumping mechanism shown in the upper part of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but with the plunger partly pushed in.

Figure 4 is a section along the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 1, as shown in said co-pending appli- 13 Claims. (Cl. 299--84) cation, the numeral 10 represents a wall plate adapted to be attached to a wall in any convenient manner, as for example by screws not shown, and detachably attached to the upper end of this plate is a head assembly I I, having a downwardly extending hood 12, into which may be inserted the upper end of a container l3, which may be in the form of a bottle, preferably having a shoulder surrounding the neck which fits closely into a downwardly facing opening l4 in the lower face of hood l2. The bottle is held in place by a locking assembly 15 attached to the bottom end of the plate I0.

Referring now to the head assembly ll, there is provided a plate 16 having rearwardly extending side flanges I1 and an upper flange IS. The rear face of the hood portion is of substantially the same size and shape as the plate I6, and the edges of it surround and are attached to the flanges IT and I8. This plate I6 is provided with a vertical channel l9 terminating in an opening or recess 20 extending through the upper flange I8. A latching plate or strap 2| rests within the channel l9 and has its upper end caught in the opening 20.

This plate 2| is provided with a non-circular opening 23 to receive the outer end of the soap pumping cylinder as will be hereinafter described. The plate 2| has a hook 25 bent backwardly from its surface in position to engage the upper end of the plate III as shown at 26.

The hood l2, as here shown, has the general shape of a quadrant of a cylinder, which has its central upper portion pressed out as shown at 29 to form a partial horizontal cylinder providing an outer circular outwardly facing vertical opening, surrounded by a flange 30.

The pump mechanism comprises a casing 3| in which there operates a pump plunger 32, having a soap discharge port 33. The pump casing 3| fits closely within the opening defined by the flange 30, and inside the hood has its wall expanded outwardly to form a shoulder 34 adapted to fit against said flange, and from thereon continues cylindrically to form an extension of larger diameter as shown at 35. A pump cylinder 36 has at its front end a flange 38 adapted to bear against a washer 39 which in turn bears against the rear face of the shoulder 34, thus closing the outer end of casing 3|. This flange 38 contains projecting pins 40 and 4| which extend into openings in tabs 42 and 43 projecting outwardly from the extension 35, and at least one of these tabs is I suficiently resilient to enable the pins 40- to be snapped into place holding the parts in assembled position.

The inner end of the cylinder 36 terminates in a non-circular projection 31 fitting within the opening 23 in the plate 2|, this projection being designed by its non-circular shape to keep the cylinder from rotating out of position. At the base of this projection the cylinder is provided with a shoulder 44 adapted to bear against'the plate 2! at the periphery of the openin r23. The length of the cylinder 36 is such that with the parts in assembled "position, as shown, the plate 2|, after being latched into the opening'Z'OLan'd;

brought into engagement with the end of the cylinder 36 and drawn into placeb y the's'crew 22 will exert firm pressure to press the cylinder fflange 38, the washer 39 andtheishoulder: 3'4.

firmly together, and hence effect a good seal between the parts.

A, cylinder 36 has a central bore 45 concentric witlr-the =-casing- 3l andcommunicating with the intriorofthecontainer I3 bya-tube 46 which extends" to the bottom of the container. This tub'e' provided with=a checkvalve 41 which maybe conveniently formedas'follows V 1 nipple 4'8- 'may be threaded into the lower end of 'the tub'e 43 having-its upper end formed to serve' as-awal-ve seat cooperation with a screwed, a=fianged nipple 53, and between the flange: Qf; this: nipple and the cylinder there is held aawasherikwhich fits the cylindrical interior of the casing, 3i. A channel-shaped washer 55 fits within the washer 54; and against thefiangeof the nipplec-53, and this washer. is designed to contain andz center theendof a spring 55, the-other. end of which bears against the-washer. 39; theplungerv 32 urged outwardly by the spring. 56L

A sleeve 5! slides within acentral opening 58' in. washer 39, and within this sleeve there is carried tli'elstem fifl of'a pin having a head 6| and'barrying awasher SZ'adapted'to bear against the end'ofthe sleve 5T. The stem 63' is provrqea with 'a small fluted section 63' so that the piii B'Dis" kept centeredwithin thesleeve 51'but at thesame time access is"afforded'betw'een tne bfqre" 45and' theunterior ofthe'b'o're of the sleeve 51whenthe"pirrprojects slightlyto the'left'out of tli'etube -BT as shown in Figure 3: Theother end ofthe stein fill is'mrovidedwith an opening fit through' which there may be inserted apin 65; butfthis pin 6'5is spaced so far from the'head 6-! as to provide-a lost motion between the sleeve 51 and the washer 62.

I Thepin -65 is 'of a length-to fitwithinthe interior'ofthe channel portion of the washer 55' so'j'as t'o beheldin place 'againstlateral displacementthe'reby; and this pinis engaged; on the one side-bythe' faceof washer 55"and"on' the other side by the end face'ofnipple53.

' V Tha -washer 55has aniinner"bore" as shown at 66 to'receive the opposite end of thesleeve 5'71 and 'thu'shas'a relativelyclosefit'about the sleeve;

in order to keep the latter properly centered. As has been disclosed, the pin 65 spaces the washers 53 and 55 leaving a small chamber between them which is in free communication with the interior of the member 53. Openings 6 through washer 55 afford communication between this chamber and the interior of casing 3|.

The outer wall of washerl55 is substantially cylindrical,-iextending toward the washerf39 and thus serves notonly to arrest but also to cushion the inward movement of the plunger. f

With the above construction, it will be clear that v with? the parts shown in the position in Figure2, if the plunger 32 is pushed inwardly,

ii the firstpart'ofthe'movement will push the stem Blfand'washer BZihwardly into the bore 45, without movingzthesleeve 51 until the lost motion has been taken up. Thus an opening is provided between the washer 62 and the end of sleeve 51 which permits soap to be admitted to the interio'r of the bore 'of tube" 51 surrounding' the pin and this =soap' is forced completely through the'sl'eeve 1 51 and delivered into -the* interior of O'nthe-return stroke; actuated'by-the spring 56-;

the plunger 32 moves outwardly carrying the the bore 45*tlirc'ugh" the valve 49," at the same time'airisdtawn into the-interior of the plunger 32""through' the-port 3 3 to-mak =up for the"- dis-' placement'orthe pistorrwasherid within bore 3 I.

This suckingbf 4 air intothe interior is 'foi" the purpose of converting the soap into a lather beforeit'is dispensed; and to'accomplish this re-' suittliei'e ismrovidd"Within the cylinder 32 a" device'fi for'insuring'a-very fine admixture-of the; airandso'aptbcreatesuch alatheri The mech anism hereshown'for that purposeis simple to V manufacture, is efiicient in operationfand'is very thespi'mg' to the core '10 throughout its length, since as the coils extend outwardly from 'thecore rod? they. spreadfrom eachother'and the adjacent coils are not solderedt'o each other except atithe' core'itselfij This'iorm" ofconstruction has proved very satisfactory in"converting "themix ture of airandliquidsoapdnto a fine lather; while at the same time it has been particularly free from"clog'ging. Moreover-iii any" servicing of thedispensertrieentire spring assembly may I ber'eadily'washedbleanforfreusei Thevalveisassembledas follows: Thewall'" bracket I0 is first cemented or otherwise atta'eliedfltothe'wall at'tli'e p'oint desired} The mechanism is' then" assembled inserting the device'fiiiwithinthepliir er' 32; these partsbeing spring iscompI-essemfar"enough to expose the openingin the end of the rod 60. Whenthepin placement of the pin 65, yetthe pin 65 holds the washer in place against the tension of the spring 56 l The cylinder 36 now has its flange 38 pressed against the washer 39 on the interior of the extension of easing 3! until the pins 40-4! fit into the openings in the tabs 42-43. This engagement holds the pumping mechanisms together so that they be thereafter handled as a unit in the further assembly.

The pumping mechanisms may now be inserted through the flange 30 of the hood and the latching plate 2| caught into the opening 20 and the non-circular opening therein made to register with the non-circular projection on the end of the cylinder. The screw 22 may be then inserted in place. The dimensions of the parts are such that as screw 22 is tightened, flange 38, washers 39 and the shoulder 34 will be brought into firm engagement to prevent leakage.

The hood [2 maynOW be assembled on the wall plate by hooking the hook 25 over the top edge of the plate and inserting the screws 21. Thereafter the soap container may be pushed into the bottom of the hood and held in place by the looking device I5.

As will be seen from the figure, a groove 15 is provided in the head 5| to separate the port 33 from the button 16 in order to prevent seepage of soap onto the button, which would make it wet and slippery.

Since certain change may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall therebetween.

I claim:

- 1. A soap dispenser comprising a casing having a cylindrical bore having a free end, a tube slidable within said bore carrying a plunger washer adapted to engage the interior of said bore, a shoulder within the free end of said casing, a bearing washer having a central bore adapted to fit against said shoulder and a member having a central bore comprising a cylinder, a piston mechanism slidable within said bore and cylinder, a spring compressed between said bearing washer and said plunger washer, and a spring catch mechanism for holding said bearing washer against said shoulder.

2. A soap dispenser comprising a casing having a cylindrical bore, having a free end, a tube slidable within said bore carrying a plunger washer adapted to engage the interior of said bore, a shoulder within the free end of said casing, a bearing washer having a central bore adapted to fit against said shoulder and a member having a central bore comprising a cylinder, said cylinder having a flange adapted to be held fiat against the bearing washer, a sleeve slidable within the bore of said bearing washer, a stem slidable Within said sleeve and having a head, said sleeve being slidable with said stem but with a lost motion, and a spring catch mechanism for holding said bearing washer against said shoulder.

3. A device of the character described comprising a cylinder having a concentric bore in one end thereof, a sleeve having a sliding fit within said bore, a stem sliding within said sleeve to afford a channel for liquid soap between them, a head fixed to the end of said stem within said bore in position to close the end of said sleeve-and means upon the other end of said stem to cause said sleeve to move with said stem but with lost motion between them, a valve connection adapted to connect said cylinder with a source of soap supply, and means to move said stem.

4. A device of the character described comprising a cylinder having a concentric bore in one end thereof,,a sleeve having a sliding fit within said bore, a stem sliding within said sleeve to afford a channel for liquid soap between them, .a head fixed to the end of said stem within said bore in position to close the end of said sleeve, and means upon the other end of said stem to cause saidsleeve to move with said stem but with lost motion between them, a valve connection adapted to connect said cylinder with a source of soap supply, a casing coaxial with said cylinder having a plunger therein, said plunger being connected to move saidstem, the interior of said casing being connected to the interior of said sleeve, said plunger being provided with a discharge channel and a discharge port through which soap may be dispensed when said plunger is pressed into said casing.

5. A device of the character described comprising a cylinder having a concentric bore in one end thereof, a sleeve having a sliding fit within said bore, a stem sliding within said sleeve to afiord a channel for liquid soap between them, a head fixed to the end of said stem within said bore in position to close the end of said sleeve, and means .upon the other end of said stem to cause said sleeve to move with said stem but with lost motion between them, a valve connection adapted to connect said cylinder with a source of soap supply, a casing coaxial with said cylinder having a plunger therein, said plunger being connected to move said stem, the interior of said casing being connected to'the interior of said sleeve, said plunger being provided with a discharge channel and a discharge port through which soap may be dispensed when said plunger is pressed into said casing, a lather forming device within the discharge channel in said plunger.

6. A soap dispensing device comprising a casing, a hollow thrust member slidable in said casing having an open end, a lather forming element insertible in said thrust element through said open end, a plunger washer of larger diameter than said thrust element, concentric therewith to give a sliding fit within said casing, detachable means for attaching said washer to said thrust element, said casing having an extension of larger diameter to provide a shoulder, a bearing washer adapted to lie against said shoulder to close the end of said casin and having a concentric bearing, a cylinder having a peripheral flange adapted to fit within said extension and against said bearing washer, and means for holding said flange in place within said extension.

'7. A soap dispensing device comprising a casing, a hollow thrust member slidable in said casing having an open end, a lather forming element insertible in said thrust element through said open end, a plunger washer of larger diameter than said thrust element, concentric therewith to give a slid-in'g fltiwithi-nz said: casing; d etacti'ahle means for attaching: said: washer to said"thrust eiement said casing ha m an extension oi larger 'diameter to provide:

a shoulder, a bearing Washer adapted lie":

against said shoulder: an'd a concentric' bearing, acylinden'liavi'ne a; periph'eraiinange' adapted tofit within said -extrision afidhagainst said' 'hea rin'gwasher and means fo'r hold-ing'ssaid flange in place-within said extensionpamlun'gerr connected to said thrust rod and slidable' w-ithin Said 'beaiin'g WaSHer; mteannout; of said cylinder,rand including a valve for; opening: com'-- mnnic'ati'on betweensaid cyli-nder and the in te'r-ior o'f said casing on an inward thrust ofis'aiid t'lir'ustm'ember"; and to clos'e said communication during 'th'e eutwarathmst; and a; tube-:a'dapteditm be connected to a urce of liqiiid soapiandiito said-' cylinder to admit soa'p to the vihteriorofsaidcylinder duri'ng -an' out-stioke df said thrustmember: 1 a

J 81- A"-s0a 15 dispensing device-com rising a -:cas'-- ing; a hollow thrust inembei slidable' ih said cas ing Having an open end; a: lather forming: elew men-t msertible: in s'a'rid thrust element through said open endya plunger washer of-I largerdiam slidable Withinsaid sleeve and-connected-tto said:

thrust member n'a valve head upon oneiend offsaid stemto: close the r: end of-said sleeve Within said cylinder, and a pin-extending; through tlie dther: end-"0f said stem i'n p'osition to engage the 'other end ofsaid's leeve but-with a lost :mot'ion whereby; the sleeve isclosedby; said'avaive head-lupon movemerit of the sleeve:v outof thecylindeifieand is open' during: the motion thereof into: the: cylinder to.

7 permit the-passage of soap into said caisingeand aspi ing. compressed-between said bearing: washer and said plungerx.

9.; In asdapdispensef; a'apumpin' mechanism comprising; a casinghaving: an: outlet-in: one end and a cOnceritric boTeinthe other endtherof;

a sieeve ha'vingL-a sliding fit insaidbore aa stem loosely; sliding: within: saidsleeve; a'n'd having: ahead movable to aposition tdclose-thefend of said sleeve; and a pin extending: through the 7 other end of said 1 stem sotspaced with regard to said head as to 1 provide lost motionbetween :said stem and said-sleeve; means to reciprocate-said pin;

10. In a soap dispenser-,lapumpihg:mechanism:

comprising 1 a casing having an outietdn-one end and a concentric: bore-i in the other end: thereof; a sleeve-having asliding fit: in saidbore; a'-: stem loosely sliding within said: sleeve; and having; a head movable to a position to closethe end of said sleeve; and pin? extending: through the:-

; other end ofi said ste'm so" spaced with: regard to said head as to provide 10st motion between said stem -and said" sleeve, means toi reciprocate said pin; said" stem: having a: fluted end adjacent to V said head to maintaiif said head concentric with said sleeve While affording; passage for fluid be: tweensaid 'stem an'd said'sleevei 1 1. A- soap dispensing. mechanism ihcluding1a casing having an open end and arbbre in the: othei end;- a plunger: slidable: in said borexa'nd having a: detachable plunger head insertibl through: the open end of said: casing; a washer V havin'g a central boreifor'closing:the op'ene'ndrof saidasi-ng', soap pumping; mechanism :sli'dable inrsaida bore; having an operating; stem: extendmarinas: said here; a pin within: said casing; pass ing?v throug d said stem';.a washer adapted toibear' against said pl unge'r and holding said pin m place and held in place by saidpih, acompres=- sion 'snrin'g held b'e'tWeen' said first mentioned Washer-- and: said secondmentioned Washer, and a" catch fon'holding said first mentioned washesin the: open" end of" saidcasing: whereby" allt of said elements are hel'd in assembled relation;

12. A soap dispensing mechanism-including; a

casing: having? an" open end and a bore: in-the otheriendiia plunger siidable: in said bore and? having: a; detachable plunger head insertible througlf-thei open. end of said casing-, a' washer? having a central bore for closingi.the open end of" said casing, a soap pumping mechanism slidable in saidh'ozxe,-havin;gfi an -oper'ating stem ex tending into said bore; a; pin" within said casing? passing through said stem} a Washeradantedto bear" against said plunger and holding-"said pin: implaeetand held'inf-pla'ce-by said pin, a -c'ompres sion spring held between s'ai'di first mentioned:

washer and said secon'ch mentioned Washen and saidcylinder having' a flange adapted to" rest: against? said first mentioned Washer; andsa'i fia'ng'e having a" catch forf' engaging said casiiie whereby all the par'ts aresheld in assembled rel'a tion.

13. A soap dispensing mechanism comprising a casing having an outlet and abearing; a'plunger V slidable" within? saidbearin and carrying: a p'is-" ton} soap: pumping? mechanism 'within said cas ing; connected. to" be operated by' -said plunger-g saidbearingahavingla' groove: in its sid'e"; and sai plunger? having an extrusion fitting withiii said groove" constructed and ar'ranged to a'dr'ni ii within said casingfibehind said piston anu to keep said p1imgenfromfrotatirig; V

WILLIAM J DOBKIN,

REFERENCES CITED "Ihe following references are of record in the file (if this patent: 

